Moldovan authorities said they carried out 250 raids and arrested dozens of people today as part of an investigation into an alleged Russian-backed plot to provoke "mass riots" and destabilize the country ahead of critical parliamentary elections, with most of the suspects "trained" in Serbia, where they "systematically traveled."
The raids targeted more than 100 people and took place in multiple locations across Moldova, police said, adding that the plan for the riots was "coordinated from the Russian Federation, through criminal elements."
According to the Moldovan Chief Prosecutor for Organized Crime, Victor Furtuna, 74 people, aged between 19 and 45, were detained in less than 72 hours.
Furtuna said that most of the suspects "systematically traveled" to Serbia where they were trained.
Moldovan police chief Viorel Cernauteanu said some suspects did not know the true purpose of their trips, which were presented to them as pilgrimages, and only later became involved in "training to sow discord and destabilize."
According to him, the investigations "are not directed at political entities, despite interpretations."
"In fact, their goal is to document the criminal intent and organization of these individuals who traveled to Serbia for training," he added.
Moldovans are voting for 101 members of their parliament on Sunday.
Many believe that they are deciding between further rapprochement with the European Union and closer ties with Russia.
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